An Iranian appeal court has postponed to later this month its ruling on the 10 Jews sentenced to jail terms for spying for Israel, which was due to be issued Tuesday, judicial spokesman Hossein-Ali Amiri said Sunday.

Speaking from the southern city of Shiraz, Amiri said the judges of the city's appeal court could not agree over whether sentences for the various offences should be served consecutively or concurrently.

He said the ruling would be issued in the second half of the month of Shahrivar, or between September 5 and 20.

Three other Jews were acquitted in the case while two Iranian Muslims were given two-year sentences for their auxiliary role in the affair.

A revolutionary court in Shiraz sentenced the 10 Jews on July 1 to prison terms of four to 13 years on charges of spying for Israel. The heaviest terms were ordered to be served consecutively.

Shiraz shoe salesman Hamid Tefelin, 41, the main defendant, was given nine years for spying for Israel plus four years for "collaboration" with the Jewish state, which Tehran does not recognize and considers its archenemy.

Rabbi and language teacher Asher Zadmehr, 54, said to be the leader of the ring, was given six years for spying and seven for collaboration -- TEHRAN (AFP)